Umbrella.



T. F. GRAHAM.

UMBRELLA.

APPLICATION FILED DEG.30,1907.

Patented Mar. 2, 1909.

m cm. wnsnngcrolv, a.

UNITED STATES PATENT @EBFTQQE.

THOMAS F. GRAHAM, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

UMBRELLA.

To all whom it may concern:

- Be it known that I, THOMAS F. GRAHAM, a citizen of the United States, residing in Chicago, county of Cook, and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Imrovements in Umbrellas, of which the folowing is a specification.

My invention relates to umbrellas and the object of my invention is to provide an umbrella which may be colla sed into small pplgace for packing in a trun r, valise or the A further object of my invention is to provide a collapsible umbrella which shall nave the appearance of an ordinary umbrella and which may be used as one, the parts being positively locked against accidental collapsing.

A further object of my invention is to provide an umbrella as mentioned which shall be of simple construction, which will not readily get out of order and which shall be of neat appearance and readily operated.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

My invention will be more readily under stood by reference to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification and in which,

Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of an um brella embodying my invention illustrating one rib in extended position, Fig. 2 is a si1nilar view of the umbrella with the rib in folded position, 3 is a similar view with the parts collapsed, Fig. 4 is a detail upon an enlarged scale illustrating the manner of locking the sections of the ribs, Fig. 5 is a cross section of the rib on the line of Fig. 4, and Fig. 6 is a detail of a slight modification.

Referring to the drawings, 1 indicates the handle of the umbrella fixed to the end of therod, 2. The rod 2 is formed of three sections, 3, 4 and 5 which are telescopic. The section, 3 is formed of a metal tube into which the section, 4 telescopes. The section, 4 is preferably formed of a steel rod and to its upper end is fixed a tubular portion, 4, into which the short ferrule piece, 5 telescopes. Suitable means are provided to prevent separation of the parts 3 and 4 when they are extended and a spring latch, 6 on the part, 4, is provided for holding them in extended position, the spring, 6 entering a notch, 7 in the end of the tubular portion, 3 to prevent rotation of the parts. To pre vent separation of the members the rod,

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed December 30, 1907.

Patented March 2, 1909.

Serial No. 408,576.

portion 4 is provided with a collar, 8 and the tubular portion, 3 is provided with a coacting shoulder 9. The ferrule piece, 5 is provided with a similar collar 10 and the portion, 4 with a shoulder, 11 coacting therewith to prevent separation of the parts 1 4 and 5. A spring 12 maintains the parts in extended position. Ilt is obvious that the umbrella rod may be collapsed to occupy a small space. By depressing the springs 6 and 12, the parts may be readily telescoped one 'within the other, the length of the red when telescoped being but slightly longer than that of the central section, 4.

To the upper end of the tubular portion, 4 is fixed the usual notched collar, 13 to which the ribs of the umbrella are pivoted. The ribs each comprise the telescoping sections 14 and 15. The section, 14 is preferably a slender tempered steel rod pivotally connected at one end to the collar, 13 and having its outer end formed into a spring locking device as will appear hereinafter. The section, 15 comprises a substantially U shaped member having its edges turned inwardly forming flanges, 1616. The portion, 15 thus constitutes a slotted tubular member into which the portion, 14 telescopes, the slots, 17 between the flanges, 16 extending substantially the length of said member. The end of the section, 14 is arched as at 18 to form a spring locking member and the arched portion is reduced in thickness to extend through the slots, 17. The outer edge of the spring portion, 18 is provided with a notch, 19 adapted to be engaged by a loop, 20, fixed near the inner end of the section, 1 5. The extreme end, 21 of the section, 14 bears against the bottom wall of the U shaped sec tion, 15 and is flattened or broadened in order to retain it within said section.

22 indicates the stays or spreaders which are pivotally connected at one end to the ears, 23 upon the inner end of the section 15, and at the other to the sliding sleeve, 24 upon the rod, 2.

It is obvious from the foregoing description that the ribs and the rod of the umbrella are positively locked when in extended posi tion and that the umbrella at such times may be opened or folded in the manner of the ordinary umbrella without any danger of the parts collapsing or telescoping. When closing the umbrella, it is necessary for the sleeve, 24 to pass on to the part, 3 of the rod which is somewhat larger in diameter than the portion, 4, hence, the sleeve must be of sufiicient diameter to pass freely thereonto.

In Fig. 6 I have shown a slight modification wherein the sleeve fits snugly upon the rod When the umbrella is opened for use. To this end the tubular portion, 4 is extended down the rod, 4 a sufiicient distance to enter the sleeve, 24 when the latter is raised. The tubular portion, 4 being substantially the same diameter as the portion, 3, the sleeve, 24 will fit snugly thereon.

To collapse the umbrella, the spring portions, 18 are depressed successively, and the sections, 14 and 15 telescoped. The rod is then telescoped in the manner hereinbefore described the umbrella assuming the form shown in Fig. 3. To extend the umbrella the rod is extended, the parts locking themselves in extended position. Then the ribs are 6X- tended by merely pulling on each section 15 successively. To prevent separation of the sections, a sleeve or collar 25 is provided upon the inner end of the section 15, which is engaged by the notch in the spring portion 18. It is upon the collar 25 that the ears 23 are formed, hence When the umbrella is collapsed the outer end of the spreaders occupy a position close under the inner end of the section 14 of the rib.

7 Having described my invention What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In an umbrella, a telescopic rod, in combination with a plurality of telescopic ribs each of said ribs comprising an upper rod portion pivotally connected to the rod of said umbrella and having its outer end prolongated, bowed and notched to form a spring locking member, and a lower U shaped member adapted to telescope upon said upper portion and having a member adapted to coact with said spring locking member, and a suitable spreader connected to said lower portion near its inner end, substantially as described.

2. An umbrella rib comprising upper and lower members adapted to telescope one --'ithin the other, said lower member being U shaped in cros section and having its ed es turned inr'rardly forming a substantially tubular member slotted substantially throughout its length and the upper member consisting of a rod adapted to be pivotally connected at one end to an umbrella rod and having its free end prolongated and arranged within the inner end of the lower member, said prolongated end being bowed and reduced in diameter to extend through the slot of said tubular member, said bowed portion having a notch in its outer edge and a loop on the inner end of the lower portion of the rib for engaging said notch, substantially as described.

3. An umbrella rib comprising a substantially tubular lower portion having a slot eX- tending practically throughout its length and upper rod portion adapted to telescope within said lower portion, said rod portion being bowed near its end and reduced in diameter to extend through said slot and having its extreme end broadenedto retain it within said tubular portion, said bowed portion havin a notch in its outer edge and said lower portion of the rib having a loop near its inner end to engage said notch as and for the purpose specified.

In testimony whereof I have signec my name to this specification in the presence of two, subscribing Witnesses.

THOMAS F. GRAHAM. /Vitnesses:

FRANoEs' E. SHEEHY, LYDIA RINKENBERGER. 

